Title
RESOLUTION NO. 26R-08-143: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, APPROVING THE RELEASE AND USAGE OF STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUNDS TO PURCHASE NEW FIREARMS AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO OUTFIT POLICE OFFICERS IN AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEED $233,000; AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FROM THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET CODE NUMBERS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER KENNIE HOBBS, JR.).
Body
Request Action:
We are requesting funds to be approved to release and use State Law Enforcement Trust Funds to purchase several items for the Police Department is not expected to exceed $233,000. The items are less lethal shotgun conversion kits, ballistic shields, laptop computers, fuming chamber, Faraday box & bag, furniture, drones, force metrics software, and QRF equipment.
We have twelve shotguns in our inventory that are no longer utilized. Over the years, the development of the less lethal shotguns has been developed to give officers additional tools that will be more effective in usage when facing a psychological state or narcotics induced individual. We are requesting to convert existing shotguns to a less than lethal weapon, which may provide an additional option for officers, when trying to restrain a violent subject. To accomplish this, we are asking to utilize funding not to exceed $5,000 to purchase the conversion kits.
Several years ago, we purchased ballistic shields that are utilized by law enforcement to protect officers when responding to address active shooter situations. These shields are currently expired and are required to be replaced. We are requesting and amount not to exceed $25,000 to replace this currently outdated officer safety equipment.
Police officers are required to maintain computers in their vehicles because they are an essential tool to be used for daily operations within the department. Though the city has a replacement plan for patrol computers, there is a shortfall in funding. We are seeking to set aside funding, not to exceed $35,000 to ensure that we can maintain current technology needs for our patrol officers.
Crime Scene Unit is responsible to process all violent crime scenes. Many of these crimes produce evidence that must undergo a chemical processing. The police department utilizes a “Fuming Chamber” in order to safely complete this process. The current “Fuming Chamber” is old and the company no longer provide service for this product. We are asking for funding not to exceed $6,000 to purchase a new to ensure continued continuity of operations.
The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for all forensic evaluation of cell phones during investigations, which can include violent crime, drug trafficking and gangs. Once the phone is in evidence, all evidentiary measures must be taken to ensure proper criminal procedures. We are seeking to request funding not to exceed $6,000 to purchase a Cell Phone Security Box to store this evidence to protect the phone from any outside security breech, which could bring evidence into question.
During the past two years, the Police Department underwent a major renovation. As part of the renovation, furniture was purchased to replace broken and moldy items. Upon moving back into the building, it was discovered that furniture for the Victim Advocates department was not included in the original purchase. The Victim Advocates are an essential part for ensuring that victims of crimes receive necessary resources. To ensure that our victims and workers have a safe and comfortable work environment, we are seeking to request funding not to exceed $20,000 to purchase furniture from the City’s approved vendor.
Law Enforcement is required to access multiple databases in order to gather necessary information to complete a proper and thorough investigation. Currently, each database has a separate access point and reports must be run independently. Once all information is gathered the analyst or investigator has to review and correlate manually to make sure all necessary investigative links are made. We are requesting funds not to exceed $45,000 to purchase software that can complete this work and print out the data significantly reducing the amount of time our staff needs to complete the work.
Drone technology has produced significant advances for law enforcement investigations. Drones are now becoming necessary equipment for the Police Departments because it gives the officers the ability to look for endangered youth and adults also for tracking violent criminals. We are asking for funding not to exceed $50,000 to start our own Drone program for the agency.
Over the past two years, the department has been developing a Quick Response Force (QRF). Due to our commitment to the Broward County Regional QRF as well as the need for our local QRF. In the past year, our Street Enforcement Team has increased their investigations into local gun and narcotics cases, which has increased the investigative search warrants for firearm and narcotic seizures. The Broward Sheriff’s Office SWAT will execute the entry for our warrants, it is our responsibility to provide security during the warrant execution and on-scene investigation. The team has now been trained in providing this security as well as being trained and utilized for other high-risk operations. We need additional officer safety equipment to ensure that our team is properly outfitted, therefore, we are asking for funding not to exceed $41,000 to purchase the equipment needed for our QRF to operate safely.
Need:
We need funds to be approved and released form the State Law Enforcement Trust Funds to purchase several items for the police department. The items needed are less lethal shotgun conversion kit, ballistic shields, laptop computers, fuming chamber, faraday box & bag, furniture, drones, force metrics software, and QRF equipment. The release of these funds with provide the necessary equipment and software for the police department to work safely and efficiently. These funds will not exceed $233,000.
Summary Explanation/ Background:
The Police department needs all of these items listed above to work safely, efficiently and effectively to ensure the safety of our department and residents. When all is approved we request that the funds be released by Office of Management and Budget once approved.
Cost Summary/ Fiscal Impact:
The cost of this request not to exceed $233,000 from State Law Enforcement Trust Fund account number 12002683-509935.
Attachments:
Memo of explanation for Use of State Law Enforcement Trust Funds
Budget Code Number(s): _______12002683-509935___________________________
Procurement Information: [check all that apply]
[ ] RFP/Bid [ ] Emergency Purchase [ ] SBE
[ ] Proposal/Quote [ ] State Grant Funds [ ] Local Preference
[ ] Piggyback Contract [ ] Federal Grant Funds
[ ] Sole Source [ ] Matching Required